The land of the midnight sun - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ...in my book. The sight was very impressive; during the singing the whole congregation accompanied the organ with a fervor which could not be surpassed; and the colors of the dress of the women, with the sober costume of the men, made a scene picturesque in the extreme. The sermon was listened to with attention; even the shrill cries of several babies--of whom there were, perhaps, two hundred in the church--did not seem in the least to disturb the worthy pastor or his congregation, who evidently were accustomed to that accompaniment of the service. Mothers would often get up and go to the room which was built especially for their use, and which is entered from the church, to minister to the wants of the little creatures. On account of the great extent of the parish, and the large PARTAKING OF THE COMMUNION. 227 number of parishioners, the communion is administered every Sunday. A great many advance to the altar--an equal number of men and women--each sex taking half of the space at the railing, and after partaking of the bread and wine retiring, with bowed heads, to their seats. During the ceremony the whole congregation participates in chanting the old tunes used at the time of the Reformation. On some occasions only a very few people were seen at the communion-table, for those who partook of the sacrament could not engage in the festivities of the day. At the conclusion of the service the vast congregation retired, slowly and quietly, in a most demure and sober manner. Beyond the church-yard groups were formed, greeting each other, and many protected themselves from the sun beneath the shade of a very fine avenue of birch-trees. Others went to pay their respects to the pastor, who, with his wife, welcomed all with a pleasant smile, inquired about their fami...